Minne Bosma

Minne Bosma (Fiscal Law) joined a master program Human Rights Law at Minnesota Law School in the USA via an exchange program from Tilburg Law School. He was elected as “Class Valedictorian” – best student in the program – and held the farewell-speech for the class of 2014.

"In the U.S.A. I became more respectful of immigrants. We should be more welcoming and understanding to immigrants. They have the guts to leave everything behind (country, friends, family) for an insecure life in the hopes of creating a better future for both themselves and family. Instead of Europe’s current policy, closing borders to immigration and limiting immigration within the EU, we should be welcoming these entrepreneurial people."

Why did you decide to study at Tilburg
University?

"I chose Tilburg Law School because of its excellent reputation in Tax Law. I decided to enroll the program in Tilburg, since I wanted to try a new city. Towards the end of the Tax Law master program I was employed and I discovered that becoming a tax advisor was not for me. I decided to enroll into a master program in the U.S.A. via an exchange program at Tilburg University. In the U.S.A. I came to the decision to focus on Human Right Law. Human Rights Law suits me better than Tax Law. It is entirely possible that job-wise I will end-up in a position related to corporate social responsibility."

Who was your favorite professor and why?

"One can take inspiration from a lot of things and people. I do not have a specific person that inspires me, but in general I am inspired by positive, entrepreneurial and innovative people. In the U.S.A. I became more respectful of immigrants. We should be more welcoming and understanding to immigrants. They have the guts to leave everything behind (country, friends, family) for an insecure life in the hopes of creating a better future for both themselves and family. Instead of Europe’s current policy, closing borders to immigration and limiting immigration within the EU, we should be welcoming these entrepreneurial people."

What comes to mind when you think about your
study and student life?"During my bachelor I did not feel very challenged, or rather maybe I did not challenge myself enough. The main cause for this is probably the massive number of students in the bachelor program. For instance, having a lecture with 500 students did not motivate me. There was a huge difference between the bachelor and the master. The latter is a small program. In the master program, one tends to have a better understanding of the possibilities for a career. During my bachelor I challenged myself extracurricular and I participated actively in student associations. In the master program I started to study more intensively and turned out to be a good student. In hindsight I should have looked for more curricular challenges in the bachelor program. You can really excel if you want to! Lecturers genuinely appreciate students with an active and inquisitive attitude. I used this insight in the U.S.A and excelled. I participated in a law competition in Washington DC, was chosen as the class of ’14 LLM commencement speaker. I graduated with great praise (magna cum laude). "

What does your career look like? What are your
ambitions?"My future is not planned out or set in stone. Therefore, my ambition states ‘Contribute to a sustainable world for all human beings’. I have yet to envision what position I will have in 20 years, but I know what I want to achieve. However, if I want to personally contribute I will need to achieve a certain degree within an organization. To achieve this, I want to start within an international organization, or a Dutch organization with an international attitude, within the next 5 years. To do this I need work experience and connections within the sector. Soon, I will start my internship at a local organization in Bangladesh, but I will try to come in touch with Dutch organizations in order to strengthen my network. I have set up the personal goal to have an international position within 5 years, and I believe that this goal is realistic."

What role did Tilburg University play in your
life and career? "Without Tilburg University I would have never been able to study in the U.S., because the program is only offered in Tilburg and I would have never been able to finance the exchange myself.

During my student time, especially in Tilburg, I have created a lot of relationships with students who will end up in business. These people could help build the bridge towards sustainable change in the future. I believe that the cooperation between corporate and public interest are becoming increasingly important. Consumers care more about human right of a company’s employees and the environment. Together business and human rights organizations can make a difference, which corresponds with my ambition. Furthermore, I have also made dear friends during my time at Tilburg University, who make my private life very happy."

Advice for students

"To start off with a cliché: Do something you like. Do not fool yourself, follow your heart. For too long I focused on the idea that Tax Law would land me a job quickly, so that I could pay off my student loans and live a comfortable and fun life. I think the best advice would be to be daring and take some risks in order to take yourself to the next level. Not taking risks will get you nowhere. You have to get out of your comfort zone. It can be very exciting, and scary, but in the end that is the best part. "

Personal

Minne was born in Groningen. After graduating the Tax Law
master program at Tilburg University Minne enrolled Human Right Law in the
U.S.A were he recently graduated with great praise. In the summer of 2014 he is
in Bangladesh for an internship.